And we’re back! Thanks again for joining this journey of making life a bit simpler…and a lot more peaceful!
Shall we begin?!
So, a few (or most) of you may know that I’m a fitness instructor now. To be more specific, I teach indoor cycling or spin class. And let me tell you, it is the most fun ever! The music, the people, the subtle competing with myself…I love it! But long before I became an instructor, I was struggling to even attend class on a regular schedule. In complete honesty, I wasn’t working out anywhere regularly and was putting physical activity at the bottom of my mental to-do list (not the best idea). And I actually enjoy exercising, it was just all a no-go during this time.
However, I really liked cycling. It was fun, but it was hard. And in today’s installment of “Worst Kept Secret,” I am someone who likes to be good at things immediately or to not do them at all. I would come to one or two classes, then not come back for weeks. I would take another class, then take another month or two off. And I don’t know about you, but if I’m going hard during my workout time, I expect to see at least an ab (just one) by the end of the session. I know how ridiculous and unrealistic that sounds, but I want what I want sometimes read as all of the time).
Each time I would “take a break” from cycling, the next time would feel like I was starting all over again. I recognized all the movements, but my body definitely had to play catch up for endurance. It wasn’t until I walked into the studio one day and paid for three months of classes upfront did I feel a sense of connection and commitment to what I said I wanted. And I didn’t notice the results I desired until I pushed through those 12 weeks.
And that’s where a lot of us are right now. Not particularly with exercising, but there are several things in our lives that only need our consistency. Quietly, at least one thing came to mind as soon as we read the word “consistency.” Because there is something (or somethings) sitting on a shelf (literally or figuratively) that requires our attention.
Like we discussed earlier in this week, some things take time to develop. But nothing (that I can think of) develops by happenstance. Nearly everything is cultivated by being tended to over time and with intention. While God can (and sometimes will) move things at an accelerated rate for us, more often than not, He will make us go through the process. Because the process of becoming consistent is not busy work, it is endurance-building work. The more we do anything, the more familiar and confident we become.
In a bit, I’m going to ask you to jot down where you want to be more confident. But I’ll share my list first:
1. I want to be more confident in how I share the Gospel…so I will spend more time in the Gospel.
2. I want to be more confident as a writer…so I will spend more time writing.
Now, I want you use this format and get to work! Keep it simple and keep it prayerful.
1. In which areas do you want to be more confident and consistent?
2. Why do these areas matter to you?
3. How can you start being more consistent today?
Helpful Verses:
His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.
Colossians 1:11 CEV
And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:4 CSB
